Operations

ASTROSAT is an exclusive Astronomy Mission by Indian Space Research Organization(ISRO), configured to observe the celestial sources in multi-wavelength simultaneously. The satellite weighing about 1600 Kg will be orbiting at an altitude of 650 km, with an inclination 6 degree. Four of the instruments, Ultra Violet Imaging Telescope (Far UV – 130-180nm, Near UV- 180-300nm, Visible – 350-550 nm), Large Area X-ray Proportional Counters (LAXPC: 3-80 KeV), Soft X-ray Imaging Telescope (SXT:0.3-8 KeV), and Cadmium-Zinc Telluride imager (CZT: 10-100 KeV) are co-aligned for simultaneous observation. The fifth instrument, Scanning Sky Monitor (SSm:2-10 KeV) is positioned normal to the co-aligned axis scouting for X-ray flares and for monitoring X-ray sources.

ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) is bestowed with the responsibility of providing the ground support for all the phases of this mission. ASTROSAT Ground Segment comprises TTC and Payload Data reception stations, Satellite Control Centre, Indian Space Science Data Centre and Payload Operations Centers (POCs). ASTROSAT TTC & Payload Ground Station along with Indian Space Science Data Centre (ISSDC) is collocated in the Indian Deep Space Network Complex (IDSN), Bylalu. All these four operational areas are intimately connected through communication links. In addition to the above, there is an arrangement for the pre-processing and approval of the received request for the satellite time that streamlines the sequence of observations to be carried out considering the merit, exigency of the proposals and the constraints posed by the satellite and the geometry. These ground systems function in unison towards fulfilling the mission objectives